Treadmills and recumbent bikes are likely two of the most popular machines in your gym. You can purchase similar equipment for home use, too. Quality exercise equipment represents a major investment, and there are some distinct differences between the two types of equipment -- so weigh you preferences carefully before buying.
Footprint and Folding
Recumbent bikes have a much smaller footprint than any fully deployed treadmill. Some treadmills are designed to fold, reducing their footprint to about that of a bike; if space is a concern, opt for a folding treadmill or recumbent bike.
Resistance vs. Speed
A moderate workout elevates your heart rate, gets you sweaty and might leave you slightly out of breath, although you should still be able to carry on a normal conversation. A vigorous workout will leave you out of breath enough that you can only get a few words out at a time.
Both recumbent bikes and treadmills offer moderate to vigorous workouts -- but they do it in different ways. With a treadmill you adjust the speed and incline, then run or walk to keep up. With a recumbent bike you pedal at your own speed, then modify workout intensity by adjusting the bike's resistance against your pedaling. Both methods offer an effective workout, so the choice between adjustable resistance or adjustable speed comes down to personal preference.
Weight-bearing and Impact
One of the most obvious differences between recumbent bikes and treadmills is that when you're on a recumbent bike you don't just perch on the seat -- you get to sit back with a backrest. But the implications of this difference might not be as obvious as the difference itself. Because you're seated, there's no impact -- your feet never leave the pedals. A treadmill produces at least low impact every time your foot leaves, then re-contacts the treadmill belt. Running is a high-impact activity. But unlike using a recumbent bike, the bones and muscles of your feet and legs must support you when you're on a treadmill. This kind of weight-bearing exercise can build bone strength if you have osteoporosis.
Considerations
But the treadmill's weight-bearing exercise comes with a potential pitfall. Although the low-impact footfalls of walking on the treadmill might also help increase bone density, the high-impact, repeating jarring of running puts you at increased risk of injury if you have joint problems or severe osteoporosis. So the bike offers a better range of workout intensities without impact. But if you're looking for a weight-bearing workout with enough mild impact to strengthen your bones, a brisk walk up a treadmill at a high incline still provides an intense workout.
Features
Recumbent bikes and treadmills offer a similar range of features including pre-programmed workouts, built-in sound systems with MP3 player plug-ins, plus handgrip and wireless heart rate monitors. Some treadmills offer adjustable shock-absorbers in the running deck, but don't otherwise adjust to size. The seat on a recumbent bike adjusts forward and back to suit your leg length, and if you have severe stability problems, you can find a step-through model that lets you walk right into the bike and sit down without having to swing your leg over an elevated bar in front of the seat.
Potential Pitfalls
One of the problems you're most likely to encounter with low-end bikes is not enough resistance levels to challenge you. Users regularly report that bikes with less than 10 optional resistance levels may not offer a challenging enough workout for avid cyclists. On a treadmill, one of the more common pitfalls is a weak motor. According to the Dick's Sporting Goods treadmill buyers guide, you should look for a treadmill with at least a one to 1.5 continuous horsepower motor for walking or light jogging. If you're running, you need a minimum of 1.5 to two continuous horsepower.
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